They shouldn’t have been moderators.
Criticism of CBS News anchors Norah O’Donnell and Margaret Brennan erupted on social media following their moderation of the vice presidential debate between Sen. JD Vance of Ohio and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz. Many commentators felt that the anchors displayed bias and disrupted the candidates during the debate, particularly when they engaged in live fact-checking, despite CBS’s earlier announcement that such interventions would not occur.
Brennan interrupted Vance when he discussed the impact of illegal immigration on resources in Springfield, Ohio, noting that many Haitian migrants there have legal status. Vance challenged the moderators’ decision to fact-check him, reminding them that it was against the agreed-upon rules. His attempts to explain the immigration process were repeatedly cut off by the moderators, leading to frustration and accusations of unfair treatment from critics.
Commentators from Fox News were particularly vocal about the perceived imbalance in the debate. Brit Hume described the moderators’ approach as creating a three-on-one dynamic against Vance. Laura Ingraham pointed out that many of the questions seemed designed to make Republican viewpoints look unfavorable while praising Vance’s composure and grasp of the issues.
On social media, several critics voiced their dissatisfaction with CBS’s handling of the debate. Sen. Marco Rubio highlighted the moderators’ editorializing and misleading fact-checks, while Sen. Mike Lee noted that CBS cut off Vance’s microphone when he attempted to provide clarification. Conservative strategist Brad Todd remarked on the implications of silencing a candidate during a debate, emphasizing the importance of open dialogue in democratic processes.
Additionally, Fox News reporter Bill Melugin fact-checked an exchange during the debate, asserting that CBS inaccurately framed the timeline of the CBP One app’s use for processing migrants, claiming it was introduced by the Biden administration in early 2023. Overall, the moderation of the debate drew significant scrutiny, with many asserting that it undermined the fairness expected in such a political forum.
